Maranello, 19 January – The first Ferrari Formula 1 car to hit the track in 2012 will be the F2008, with which the Scuderia took the last of its sixteen Constructors’ titles to date. It’s nothing to worry about, not some sort of surprise test, but in fact a debut appearance for the Reds in Qatar. Driving the Maranello car along the seafront of the capital Doha will be Marc Gene. The event is one of several being staged as a prelude to the Qatar Motor Show and is organised by Shell, the Diamond Sponsor of the QMS.

“It’s always nice to bring Formula 1 close up to the public on this sort of occasion,” said Marc. “In this part of the world, the growth in interest in motor sport is visible to the naked eye, partly down to the efforts of major companies like Shell.”

The Spaniard is in Qatar until Monday, when he will take part in the opening of the Show. Marc is also due to visit the industrial city of Ras Laffan, which is home to the world’s largest GTL extraction plant, established by Shell along with Qatar Petroleum.